Powerful Washington high school football team strikes fear in opponents

In Everett, Washington, one powerhouse team outscored its opponents 170-0 in its first three football games this season. Now other conference opponents would rather forfeit than get pummeled by Archbishop Murphy High School’s team.

"There's still unknowns. … We don't know what's going to happen next week," said Jerry Jensen, the school's athletic director.

But parents of some players at Cedar Park Christian High won't allow them to face the much bigger, stronger Archbishop Murphy, which is the next game on the schedule. Some wrote emails saying such things as, "We are in agreement that to play Archbishop Murphy would compromise the best interest and safety of the players and be demoralizing by the certain and devastating defeat."

Another wrote, "Football is a dangerous sport; however, this is an extreme and unnecessary risk that you are putting our sons in."

Some were even upset that the school didn't forfeit immediately, saying, "Please know that we will not be allowing our sons to suit up for the Archbishop game next Friday the 14th."

Joey Johnson, the athletic director at nearby Granite Falls High School, also skipped out on a game against Archbishop Murphy.

"We made a decision based on the health and welfare of our kids," Johnson said.

Stacey Morris, a parent of one of the players, agreed with the decision.

"We can't put our 5-foot-8, 125-pound quarterback up against their nose tackle who happens to be 6 feet 5 inches and weighs over 330 pounds. He's going to put that kid in the hospital," she said.